Chris Smith will take the reins from John Laws on Super Radio Network and host mornings on 2SM and across their network in NSW, QLD and the Northern Territory in 2025, commencing Monday January 6.
He has told radioinfo: “I’m choosing to live life with life, not grog.”
Managing Director and Owner of the SRN George Caralis told radioinfo:
‘The Super Radio Network welcomes Chris Smith home. He started his career with 2VM and 2PK.
With a Federal Election coming up next year Chris is by far the best with his political knowledge and understanding of the landscape. He will steer the ship for us and is the best natural broadcaster in radio.
This will be a changing of the guard in talkback in 2025.’
Chris Smith at 2PK
Managing Director and owner of the SRN Despina Priala said:
“This is a story of redemption and Australians forgive where they know someone’s done the hard yards. He’s been in recovery for two years. We applaud that. It’s been a tough time, but haven’t we all been through them?
We have been inundated with positive comments since it was hinted he would return. He, and we are so excited to get started on January 6.”
It will be Chris Smith on 2SM. Mark Levy on 2GB. Who will take on the distinctly wobbly ABC Sydney Mornings shift is yet to be announced in this ‘changing of the guard.’
Sydney’s talk radio Drive shifts will also be in flux next year with Chris O’Keefe just announcing he is leaving 2GB Drive and Richard Glover being replaced by Chris Bath for 4 days per week on ABC Radio Sydney (Charlie Pickering will present Thank God it’s Friday).
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.
Related reports:
This is not necessarily about the appointment of Chris Smith to the 0900 to 1200, as I predicted in another article that other shifts at 2SM being filled from the former TNT live personalities.
https://radioinfo.com.au/news/new-owners-serious-about-2sm-resurgence-srn-not-for-sale/
Having seen changes in talk presenters on 2BL (MacDonald, Marnie), 2GB (Hadley and O'Keefe) , 2SM (King, Laws) and MMM Sydney breakfast (Geyer) in the last few weeks, the dynamics in talk radio have changed dramatically.
To complicate matters, there has been a rise in talk-oriented podcasts on social media presenters who deal with topics more in depth that a fixed timeslot on radio.
As an example, Nova spoken word podcasts are being heavily promoted on Sky News Radio on DAB+.
Then there are other social media podcasts and vodcasts who may attract audiences in the millions significantly outrating MSM presentations.
Thus to predict the outcome from 2025 in the Sydney market is difficult. Example Mark Levy, Ray Hadley's replacement and Chris Smith, Alan Jones' fill in have held their own audiences. This is especially with Chris Smith filling in for Alan Jones.
Both will be competing in the same 0900 to 1200 timeslot.
Who will win?
Presenters in a particular timeslot may not be enough. The programs have to be compelling.
When I think of 2SM's return to a more Sydney-centric presentation, it may not be enough to appoint two former newsreaders from Smooth as the "sound of Sydney" at breakfast.
I doubt there will be resources spent to have roving reporters listening and responding to emergency services broadcasts or now X, Facebook or tipoffs as what happened in the days of the 2SM Newsroom with John Tingle (RIP), Brian White (RIP), Jim Angel (RIP). There is a documentary online showing the newsroom operations of 2SM.
See also http://www.milesago.com/radio/2sm.htm where news has been downgraded from 1983.
Thanks
Anthony, Strathfield South, in the land of the Darug and Wangal Peoples of the Eora Nation